Monday, April 30, 2007

Meet the crew - Dori Robertson (the "Dave Master")

So, what do you do when you've got a bunch of guys named Dave on your Badwater crew? That's 3 crews and pacers, including one crew chief, all guys, all named Dave (well, sort of)!

Do you think with these phenomenal Daves that this is as good as it could possibly get? Do you think there is no room for more perfection? (Is that an illogical question?)

So, what do you do when you've got 3 perfect Daves on your crew? Well, you get a "Dave Master!" A Dave Master is someone who balances the crew, smooths the crooks, levels the ground. And who better than to master the Daves but a WOMAN! And what better woman for the job than Dori Robertson.

Dori is a phenomenal ironman triathlete and ultramarathoner from Spokane. She is also a high school girls' track and field coach. She is also a Badwater crew/pacer veteran from last year. In fact, she was on Dave Bursler's team! I heard from Dave more than once that Dori was an indispensible member of the team. She paced Dave for over 70 miles...and crewed and worked on his knee....and helped him get that Badwater buckle.

She's even won the "Black Toenail Division" of an "Ugliest Feet" contest! Now, THAT'S a SISTA' that I'll have on my Badwater crew!

NOW, I can finally say my Badwater crew and pacing team is complete. I've got 3 Daves and 1 Dave Master and we are ready to ROLL! We may not be the fastest team on the course, but Dang if we are not the team having the MOST FUN!!

7 comments:

LISA SAID:Well, you get a "Dave Master!" A Dave Master is someone who balances the crew, smooths the crooks, levels the ground. And who better than to master the Daves but a WOMAN!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~LOLOLOLOL ahhh that is Perfect :-)

Welcome Dori, Keep those boys in line and if they get out of line you can show them the feet-Yikes, Dori's was nothing compared to some of those others--Geesh

Awesome Crew Lisa!!!!! I will be in DV camp this week and leave ya a Good Luck note behind mile marker 121 Cactus :-)

Sweeeet, Lisa! But I bet I could give Dori a run for her money in the ugliest feet race. 4 of my toenails are already black and I'm not even up to speed yet. It's great to read your upbeat, energetic posts. So, now that there's a Dave Master, who will be the Dave Slave?

About Me

I am an ultra runner, physician and have been medical director of some of the toughest ultras. I tend to be a mover and a shaker and louder than my size suggests. However, my Gemini twin is gentler and contemplative, an artist, a writer, and a poet. I am a dog lover, a believer in souls, and have a special affinity for those who struggle because I have been there.

This is my crazy lovable huggable Weimaraner, Steely Dan. I call him Steely. He left us in January of this year at only 6 years from lymphoma that did not respond to chemotherapy treatments. Steely was a total goof. He loved trail running, road running, treadmill running, new experiences, making eye contact, sleeping on his back, me, kids, and liver treats. He was Zappa's best friend. We miss him dearly.

This is Stella. A rescue from the shelter. She's about 6 months old and a Border Collie. She is a joyous bundle of energy and curiosity and now also Zappa best friend. She will make a nice running partner when she grows up.

This is the now the big brother of my family - a rescued Greyhound. His name is Frank Zappa. I call him Zappa. He's 7 years old and has learned all about life beyond the track and crate from Steely when he was with us. It was very rewarding to watch his personality bloom as he settled into the family. And yes, he runs like the wind!

This is Natasha, my dearest friend. She was with me through college, medical school, residency, and she moved with me from Chicago to Spokane several years ago. She was my best running partner for 10 years. My sweet Natasha died from bone cancer in 2006. I miss her still. I hung a windchimes over the deck outside. When it chimes, I smile and think she has finally -- wherever she is now -- caught a squirrel!